The Taylors of Minneapolis take part in the Family Fitness Challenge. Catherine, left, with Waffle, Rory and Roy. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Roy Taylor is 56. At 5-foot-9, he weighed 299 pounds in mid-January. He now weighs 280. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Catherine Taylor, 52, who is 5-foot-3 1/2, weighed 207 pounds in mid-January. She now weighs 197 and is down a clothes size. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Rory Taylor, who's 5-foot-8 1/2 inches, weighed 150 pounds in mid-January and wants to gain weight. The 16-year-old has been working on that but it's hard because he's so active. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

The Taylor family dog, Waffle, is also participating in the Family Fitness Challenge. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

The Taylors pull food items from their kitchen to discard as they focus on a healthier diet at their home in Minneapolis on Jan. 20. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Rory carries a bag of unhealthy foods to the trash with his parents, Roy and Catherine, in Minneapolis on Jan. 20. Instead of giving the food away, the family decided to donate money to a food shelter to be put toward healthy meals. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Catherine and Roy watch their son, Rory, play in a winter league lacrosse game Jan. 20 in Minnetonka, Minn. They hope that their son will learn good health habits that he can carry into adulthood. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY

Dawn Jackson Blatner is a registered dietitian consulting with the Taylors for the Family Fitness Challenge. Handout

Mark Neumann is a fitness specialist consulting with the Taylors for the Family Fitness Challenge. Handout

Rory, left, Catherine and Roy take their dog on a walk in single-digit temperatures in Minneapolis on Jan. 20. Courtney Perry for USA TODAY